Sylvan Book Adventure

SCROLL DOWN FOR THURSDAY'S HOMEWORK...THIS IS ANOTHER POST 

I was thinking about how well our first graders have done on Accelerated Reader this year.  When I look at the lists of books each student has read and the scores they have received I am thrilled!  They are amazing! These thoughts reminded me of a similar program that you can do at home.  In order to keep interest up this summer, check out Book Adventure.  It's a FREE reading program that is similar to Accelerated Reader.  It's been a while since I used it (yes, I used it with my own kids and it was a great motivator), but I remember it was very easy.  They have lists of books that have quizzes.  Kids read the books and take the quizzes.  You set the goals and reward your child as they meet the goals you have set up with them.  You can set up all of your children since the books address a wide level of skill (Dr. Seuss, Magic Tree House, Captain Underpants, Junie B. Jones, Little Critter, Ricky Ricotta, Horrible Harry - to name some of our favorite series/characters).  For those of you that have older children, there is a quiz for The Hunger Games and many of the "Wimpy Kids" books.  The vast number of titles will entice all students, especially since there are more titles here than what we have available at school for Accelerated Reader.   There are also contests that you can enter.  It's definitely worth checking out.  

COMMENT BOX:  Let me know if you register your child so I can help keep them motivated during the summer.  :)

HOMEWORK 5-30-12 & 5-31-12

Congratulations to the four students who have completed the addition portion of XtraMath and have moved on to subtraction:  Blake, Gideon, Eathen, and Lily!!!!  WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND ALL YOUR HARD WORK!

For homework tonight, go to the blog entry HOMEWORK 5-21-12 & 5-22-12.  Follow those instructions.

HOMEWORK 5-24-12

We are learning about plants in class.   We have examined the parts of a lima bean seed and are attempting to grow lima beans in a bag in our class window (ask your child to tell you about the activity).  We also have one bag without water, but placed in the window.  We have another bag in our dark closet; this one has water, but no light.  Soon we will be talking about the parts of plants and the role each one plays in the life of a plant.

For a quick experiment to see how different conditions affect plants, check out the virtual plant at How Plants Grow.  This activity allows students to change the amount of water, light, and heat to see what happens to the plant.

COMMENT BOX:  What did you learn about plants after playing this game?  What happens if there is too much water or heat?  What happens if there is not enough light?  Experiment with the game and share what you discover in the comment box.

HOMEWORK 5-23-12

Found Poems
One type of poem we have been writing in class is called a found poem.  Children often have difficulty selecting words when writing poetry.  This type of poem helps students with that dilemma while allowing them to critically analyze a text and compose a piece of writing.  In class, we have used familiar text to compose found poems about the main character in a story.  To write a found poem, students select phrases from a text to convey their thoughts.

Tonight, you are going to compose a found poem.  Go to the Speakaboos site (this link takes you directly to the fairy tales).  You only have 10 free stories before being charged a fee, so keep that in mind as you select the text for the assignment.  Select a fairy tale that we have not read in class (from this site, The Little Red Hen and Jack and the Beanstalk are off limits).  Listen and read along with the story.  Then, select a main character from the story.  Compose a found poem about that character by using lines from the story that describe the character. 

For instance, here's an example of one written about the Little Red Hen (use this link to the story so you can see how the words were selected):

Little Red Hen
the smallest
the most active resident of the farm
kept everything in the barn tidy and clean
help me plant this wheat
I will do it myself
who will help me cut the wheat?
I will do it myself
who will help me mill the wheat?
I will do it myself
who will help me bake the bread?
I will do it myself
she made the flour into a loaf of bread
who will help me eat this bread?
did you help me?
I will eat the bread myself

COMMENT BOX:  Select a fairy tale from Speakaboos.  Write a found poem about the main character from the story.  You may want to have scrap paper handy to record your words.  You will be able to pause the story and copy your words, also.  Remember, use the words you find in the story.  Share your poem by putting it in the COMMENT BOX.  There is not a specified length, but remember that you want to fully capture the spirit of the character.  Also, remember that your poem should have all words spelled correctly since you are getting them directly from the words on the page. 

HOMEWORK 5-21-12 & 5-22-12

It's XtraMath time!  Complete a session of XtraMath and then do 2 min. of subtraction on AAAMath.  You can either practice in the blue area (scroll down) or play the games (scroll down further).  There are also links near the top that will take you to the area you choose; choose 'practice' or 'play'.  For those of you subtracting on XtraMath, you do not have to do AAAMath.  Instead, play the addition version of Math Baseball.  Begin with 'easy' and select 'yes' next to 'algebra style'.  Increase the skill level as you see fit.

NO COMMENT BOX

HOMEWORK 5-17-12

While reviewing telling time during calendar time in the morning, I have noticed that we need to revisit this skill.  The main issues that I see are students switching the hour and minute hands and the correct placement of the hour hand when it is half past the hour.  Tonight, play Clock Shoot.  Play Level 2. 

Then play the Time game.  If you notice your child is still having trouble, revisit often to help achieve mastery. 

COMMENT BOX:  No comment needed.

HOMEWORK 5-16-12

This week's vowel team is oa.  Read The Goat and the Toad.  Read it by yourself first and then select the 'Hear It' option so you can hear it and see some animation.  After that, do 'Sound Search'.  When you find the word that is requested, read it aloud.  Next, do the 'Find a Word'.  Make sure you read each one of the possible answers before selecting your answer. 

COMMENT BOX:  Make a list of 4 words that rhyme with 'boat'.  Write a sentence using your words.  Remember to include your name.

HOMEWORK 5-14-12 & 5-15-12

Developing fluency with addition and subtraction facts is an essential skill as it frees up space in one's working memory.  It enables students to devote more brain power to thinking about solutions to problems rather than bogging them down trying to recall the sums and differences.  Please make sure your child is fully engaged in math fact practice.

Please do XtraMath to practice your addition facts and AAAMath to practice subtraction for 2 minutes (either the practice or play modes are fine).  If you are doing subtraction on XtraMath, you do not have to do subtraction on AAAMath.  Instead play Math Lines.  You can select the sum you want to work on.  Please play with 3 different sums.  Select sums no smaller than 9.  Have fun!

NO COMMENT BOX.

Teacher Appreciation

Thank you to all the families and students who were so thoughtful this week!  I cherish each hug, token, card, kind word, etc.  Each one of you confirms my decision to teach.  I love what I do and am truly thankful for the opportunity to be a part of your lives.  :D 
<3 Ms. Kristin

HOMEWORK 5-10-12

We have been learning about goods and services.  Goods are things people want or need.  A service is any work done for others.  Can you sort the goods and services?  For other goods and services activities (this one is a bit more temperamental, but the kids liked the parts that worked while we were in class), go to EconEdLink.  The words in red will link you to different activities that the students will enjoy.

COMMENT BOX:  In the comment box, list 5 goods that your family uses.  Then, list 5 services your family uses.  Please include your first name.  :)

HOMEWORK 5-9-12

This week we are practicing the long e sound with the ea vowel team.  To review both the ee and ea vowel teams, play Hangman (you will need to 'click' on the box that says 'play the game').  Remember, guessing the correct vowels first helps you win.  Make sure you read the clue and read the final word.  For a real challenge, head to the Spellzone to practice some more ea words. 

COMMENT BOX:  Read the following words aloud to an adult.  If you have trouble, tap them out.

weak, eat, peak, speak, clean, clear, ear, pea, flea, easy, wheat, dream, team

Now, make a sentence using as many of the words as possible making sure the sentence still makes sense.  Write your sentence in the comment box and include your name.

HOMEWORK 5-7-12 & 5-8-12

So many of you are getting close to finishing your addition facts on XtraMath!  Practice Monday and Tuesday for homework.  Remember, you can use these sites ANY time.  Focus and concentrate extra hard so you can learn as much as you can.  Remember, you want to answer BEFORE the third circle so you can earn a smiley face.

After XtraMath, work on the subtraction on AAAMath for two minutes.  You can either use the blue practice area or play the games in the yellow section.

HOMEWORK 5-3-12

We are working on adding and subtracting numbers in units of ten.  We are using both the hundred chart (if you use this source, scroll down a bit and wait for it to load) and skip counting.  We have used the hundred chart quite often and have discovered that any time we need to know a number that is ten more, it is under the starting number.  If we need a number that is ten less, it is above the starting number.  If your child is not sure of this, please practice.  Play 100 Number Grid.  Each time your child finds the correct placement of the number, ask them what number would be 10 more than that number as well as what number would be 10 less than that number.  They should work towards not having to count by ones to determine the answer.  Once that is mastered, ask what numbers would be 20 more/less.  Gradually increase difficulty.

COMMENT BOX:  When you find the sum for 57 + 30, which digit changes?  The tens or the ones?  How many tens are you adding?  Remember to include your name.

HOMEWORK 5-2-12

Watch the video about the moon phases.
Complete the labeled diagram of the moon phases.
In the COMMENT BOX, explain the difference between the new moon and the full moon.  Also, explain the difference between the words waxing and waning.

Check out the cool moon event that will take place this weekend!